Author Declares Boycott of Elections, Citing Decades of Unmet Promises
Sheikh Fouad Anwar Abu Bakr has announced his intention to boycott upcoming elections, stating he will not reward political failure with his vote. He argues that despite 78 years since the state's establishment, and numerous changes in governments and parties, the suffering of the Arab population has persisted or worsened. Abu Bakr questions whether basic rights like preventing home demolitions, expanding construction areas, recognizing neglected villages, ensuring personal safety, combating racism, halting land confiscation, and addressing youth issues like poverty and unemployment have been met.
He asserts that politicians seeking votes should present an account of their past actions rather than new electoral platforms, as repeated promises and fiery speeches do not build homes, protect land, or bring back the deceased. While acknowledging that a single representative cannot solve everything, Abu Bakr rejects the notion of rewarding perpetual failure, especially when elections approach. He views his vote not as a seasonal gift or a consolation prize, but as a trust that should not be given to those who have consistently failed to uphold it.
Abu Bakr clarifies that his boycott stems from deep care and a refusal to renew confidence in those who have not proven worthy, rather than apathy or evasion of responsibility. He sees his boycott as a means to protect his values, principles, and identity, which he refuses to see reduced to negotiation tools or electoral decorations. For him, boycotting is not silence or laziness but a political punishment and a withdrawal of trust from those who use public support to gain seats and then abandon their constituents.
He has not voted since the early 1980s, finding no convincing evidence that his vote could prevent injustice, secure rights, or alter established policies. He notes that each election cycle is declared the most critical, only for the outcome to result in similar unresolved issues for their communities. Abu Bakr emphasizes that his boycott is a form of accountability, not indifference, and a punishment, not an escape. He believes serving the public extends beyond the ballot box, involving standing with the oppressed, supporting the needy, protecting land, confronting destruction, and building genuine community committees that are active year-round, not just every four years.
Ultimately, Abu Bakr's decision is personal, based on the belief that after 78 years, those seeking his vote have not earned it. He questions when the cycle of rewarding those who take votes and deliver only disappointment will end, viewing his vote as a trust that should not be entrusted to those who have failed to preserve it.
